Jurors prepare for verdict in the Charles Lewis Jr. fatal car accident case

Sent to you by soni via Google Reader:

Jurors prepare for verdict in the Charles Lewis Jr. fatal car accident case

via San Diego Accident Blog by webdev on 12/8/10

Charles "Mask" Lewis, Jr., a mixed-martial arts entrepreneur, died on March 9, 2009 in a high-speed car accident when San Clemente man Jeffrey David Kirby, 53, lost control of his Porsche, colliding into Lewis's Ferrari in an excess of 100 mph, according to The Orange County Register. Now, Kirby's manslaughter trial dwindles down as jurors prepare for a verdict in the case.
Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez said Kirby engaged in DUI driving at an "unbelievably fast" speed when his Porsche collided with Lewis's Ferrari, causing the vehicle to spin out of control and slam into a concrete light pole. Lewis was killed instantly.
The men were suspected of racing their vehicles at about 1 a.m. when the fatal car accident occurred. Kirby now faces charges of "one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, plus sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene and causing great bodily injury to multiple victims," according to the news source.
If convicted, Kirby can face just over 19 years in prison.

Moral of the story: Don't speed, and don't drink and drive

While Kirby's fate still remains uncertain, one fact is for sure: DUI driving can ruin lives, and worse, take lives unnecessarily. In the case of Kirby, his life will never be the same. Preventing drunk driving is possible when you know the facts and use these helpful tips.

Know the BAC limits of your state

Do you understand how BAC, or blood alcohol concentration, can affect your driving competence? California's DUI laws focus on two DUI laws – competence and the presence of a blood alcohol limit of 0.08 or higher.

Avoid early-morning and late-night driving

More often than not, and such in Kirby's case, early-morning and late-night driving can be risky since many bars close around 2 a.m. in the state of California. Try to avoid early-morning or late-night driving, since drunken driving accidents are more likely to happen during these off-hours.

Maintain safe distances from suspected drunk drivers

Don't try to pass up drunk drivers if you suspect you see one on the road. Maintain a safe distance behind the drunk driver, and call 911. Often times, if you try to speed up alongside a drunk driver, he/she may attempt to catch up with you or pass you up—often to avoid looking drunk! Or, drunk drivers may swerve or overcorrect, causing dangerous head-on collisions. Just like Kirby's case, these perilous maneuvers can cause serious car accidents if the vehicle collides into yours. Stay in your own lane, and call the police.

Offer to be a designated driver and don't get into a car with a suspected drunken individual

Never assume someone is "okay" or "looks fine" after a night of drinking. Play it safe and get call a cab instead. Many cities offer free cab rides for those who are too impaired to drive. Also, consider making yourself the designated driver to be certain you keep everyone in your party safe and avoid such as Kirby's case.
If you've been injured in a DUI car accident, call and speak to a San Diego personal injury attorney for free. We can evaluate your situation and make valuable recommendations toward resolving your case. When you hire an experienced car accident lawyer from the beginning, you are that much closer to achieving justice and receiving compensation for your injuries.
Jurors prepare for verdict in the Charles Lewis Jr. fatal car accident case is a post from: Personal Injury Accident Blog

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to San Diego Accident Blog using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites